Oral health is crucial to the welfare of the rest of the body, and children should start developing good dental hygiene habits as soon as they possibly can. While teaching a child to brush can be difficult enough, getting them on board with flossing can be even more challenging. Here are some tips to help your child master the art of dental floss so they can have a healthy smile for life.
Why Is Flossing Important?
While brushing can be considered the foundation of proper oral hygiene, flossing is equally important. While brushing can clean the external surfaces of the teeth, flossing can eliminate plaque, food debris, and bacteria between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. If these nasty things are not removed, they can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. A cavity developing between the teeth is just as dangerous as one that develops on a tooth’s outer surface.
A child’s teeth should be flossed as soon as there are two teeth right next to one another. It is best to floss before bed so germs don’t have all night to eat away at your child’s teeth. Since most small children cannot perform the job on their own, you will probably have to assist them with flossing until they are six or seven years old.
What Is the Right Way to Floss?
When using traditional floss, the process should go like this:
- Cut off a strip of dental floss at about eighteen to twenty-four inches.
- Wrap the floss around the index and middle fingers of either hand.
- Gently slide the floss back and forth and up and down between the child’s teeth.
- Move on to a clean part of the floss for each tooth.
- Repeat these steps until all teeth have been flossed.
How Can Learning to Floss Be Fun?
It’s easier to teach a child to floss if the lesson is fun. Here are some ways to make the experience more exciting for your little one:
- Floss as a family. This will allow the child to observe your technique so they can mimic it.
- Let your child choose their own floss when you go shopping. Some brands come in different colors, flavors, and styles.
- Put on some music while your child flosses.
- Give your child some affirmation when they start flossing properly. You might even give them a reward for a job well done.
- If your child neglects to floss one night, gently instruct them to do the job before they return to bed.
The reward of good oral hygiene is a fresh clean feeling and long-term dental health, but it might take a while for a child to learn to appreciate that. By helping them remember to floss until then, you can set them up for a lifetime with a beautiful smile.
About the Practice
Sprout Dentistry for Kids of Allen is dedicated to providing children with excellent dental care services in Allen, TX. Led by Drs. Justin Chan and Sage Yoo, the skilled staff creates a warm and welcoming space for your youngest family members while making dental appointments fun and relaxing. Areas of expertise include checkups, cleanings, dental sealants, and emergency pediatric dentistry. For more information on teaching your child proper oral hygiene, contact the office online or dial (469) 663-0098.